A United, Distinctive

& Sustainable Pacific

Society

NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

TERMS OF REFERENCE
2016

Thursday, November 03, 2016

 OUR VISION
A United, Distinctive & Sustainable Pacific Society

OUR MISSION
Enabling Green–Blue Pacific Economies through Inclusive Strategies, Multi-stakeholder Governance, & Genuine
Partnerships
CONTENTS

Preface ....................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 4

Background ................................................................................................................ 5

Establishment ............................................................................................................. 5

Purpose of NSDB ....................................................................................................... 5

Functions of NSDB .................................................................................................... 6

Linkages to PIDF Governance Structure .................................................................... 6

Linkage to Global Processes ...................................................................................... 6

Membership ................................................................................................................ 6

NSDB Meetings .......................................................................................................... 7

Secretariat .................................................................................................................. 7

Finance ....................................................................................................................... 7

PIDF Support .............................................................................................................. 7

Country Visits ............................................................................................................. 8

 Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue ................................................................................... 8

 National Stakeholder Workshop ............................................................................ 8

 NSDB Launch ....................................................................................................... 8

Further Information ..................................................................................................... 8

Annex 1...................................................................................................................... 9

Annex 2 ................................................................................................................... 10
NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
TERMS OF REFERENCE

PREFACE

With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015-2030, and the Paris Agreement on climate
change, the international community have committed to “pursue policy coherence and an enabling
environment for sustainable development at all levels and by all actors”.

This entails mobilising the whole of government and set national strategies to shift to more sustainable
paths based on coherent and integrated frameworks, inter-institutional co-ordination and multi-stakeholder
collaboration. SDG 17 – on the means of implementation – includes a cross-cutting target (SDG 17.14) to
“enhance policy coherence for sustainable development”.

This document sets out the Terms of Reference for the National Sustainable Development Board (NSDB).
It is intended as a guideline on the establishment of the NSDB. Each member country will work collabora-
tively with the PIDF on the setting up of their NSDB.

An effective and efficient NSDB will assist member countries in the integration and harmonization of
global, regional and national sustainable development plans, policies and programs and other global
frameworks.

INTRODUCTION

The Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) is a space for catalysing, mobilizing and mainstreaming
action in support of sustainable development through green/blue economy in Pacific Island Countries. It‟s
an action-oriented platform to identify innovative solutions that will ensure sustainable development. It
works closely with international institutions to engage state and non-state actors to develop high-impact
collaborations on sustainable development through the Green Economy.

It is a unique platform bringing together leaders from the public and private sectors and civil society to
address regional development challenges, through mutually beneficial innovative partnerships. No one
sector in society can deliver the complexities of sustainable development alone. PIDF uses the expertise
of the private sector, normative leadership of the public sector, and successful delivery mechanisms of civil
society. It provides a framework for bringing together governmental, business and civil society leaders to
secure concrete commitments and mobilize action. 4
BACKGROUND

The PIDF Charter provides for the creation of NSDBs. The PIDF Charter Chapter 5, Article (9) provides that,
“The PIDF shall comprise :(1) The Conference; (2) The Leaders’ Summit; (3) The Members’ Representative
Council; (4) National/Local Sustainable Development Boards; and (5) The Secretariat”

ESTABLISHMENT

The PIDF Charter, Article (13) (1) provides that the NSDB may be created in two ways:
 Through existing committees and structures; or
 Through purpose built structures aiming for a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral scope.

In some countries „spaces‟ have already been institutionalized as some type of formal multi-stakeholder
council or similar body and may have a proven track record in facilitating national stakeholder dialogue on
sustainable development issues. In countries where multi-stakeholder bodies currently exist, such bodies
represent a logical starting point for the setting up of the NSDB.

PURPOSE OF NSDB

The PIDF Charter, Article 13 (1) provides the following purposes of the NSDB:
 To implement the PIDF Purposes; and
 To ensure that national and local priorities influence the PIDF agenda.

The NSDB will provide oversight and be responsible for policy coherence and coordination, and system-
wide implementation of PIDF policies within member countries. As such it will facilitate internal coordination
of strategies, policies, and programs vis-à-vis the member country and the PIDF and would promote integra-
tion of national concerns and harness their co-benefits and synergies.
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The NSDB will contribute to the following:
 Strong vertical and horizontal linkages and integration (solid connections).
 Strong coordination, integration and synergy (solid connections among bodies).
 Meaningful participation and contributions of stakeholders being co-equal members of the NSDB.
 Optimized use of existing institutions and bodies because there are no extraneous processes and
institutions

FUNCTIONS OF NSDB

The PIDF Charter, Article 13 (2)(a) to (g) provides the purpose of the NSDB:
 serve as the national/local focal point and repository of information on all PIDF matters at the national/
local level;
 Promote the establishment of multi-stakeholder and inclusive processes at the national/local level;
 Coordinate the implementation of the decisions of the PIDF at national/local level;
 Advocate and lead the vision and purposes of the PIDF at the national/local level;
 Report to the Council;
 Manage its affairs; and,
 If an existing structure doesn‟t exist, develop rules and procedures necessary to efficiently exercise its
responsibilities.

LINKAGES TO PIDF GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Three members of the NSDB will represent the member country or territory to the Members Representative
Council which meets twice a year and the PIDF Conference which is held every two years.

LINKAGE TO GLOBAL PROCESSES

The NSDB will localise global frameworks such as the SDGs and link national activities and programmes to
the global policy level which will create broader support, and enhance impact. Accordingly the NSDB is best
positioned to provide a harmonized national reporting system to reduce the burden to countries reporting on
international agendas such as the UNFCCC, the SDG global indicator framework, the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction.

MEMBERSHIP

Under Article (6) of the Charter, NSDB members need to share a commitment to the following principles:
 A common commitment to Pacific ways of life recognizing history, culture, identity and the impacts of
climate change. The Pacific should be governed by and for Pacific Islanders;
 A shared and enduring commitment to Green-Blue Pacific economies, sustainable development and
especially poverty eradication;
 Inclusivity, belonging and ownership by the Pacific;
 Broad representation, participation and engagement;
 Multi-stakeholder governance at all levels such as public sector, civil society and private sector;
 Affirming Pacific spirituality as a foundation of nurturing and building resilience in Pacific communities;
 Durable partnerships with development partners driven by Pacific interests.
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The membership of the NSDB may be drawn from representatives of critical sectors such as finance,
planning, energy, water, transport, industry, environment, and agriculture. The NSDB shall include both public
and private decision makers as well as representatives of significant civil society organizations. A manageable
NSDB size would range between 10 and 15 members. The members serve ad honorem.

NSDB MEETINGS

Article 13(4) of the PIDF Charter provides that the NSDB will meet quarterly and in such special sessions as
occasion may require.

SECRETARIAT

The NSDB Secretariat may be located in a government ministry (e.g. planning or finance). Because of the
multi-sectoral, multi-level nature of the NSDB, it is recommended that if the Secretariat is housed in a govern-
ment ministry, that the ministry be one with broad, transversal powers and authority, such as planning and
finance, rather than an environmental ministry or climate change entity which might lead to the sort of themat-
ic and strategic compartmentalization that the PIDF is aiming to overcome.

An effective secretariat could in terms of national priorities (a) undertake necessary technical research and
analysis; (b) coordinate closely with other sector agencies and help find synergies and common grounds
among them; and (c) recommend, based on solid review of alternatives, the most appropriate and feasible
means to address certain issues/conflicts for the consideration of the PIDF. It would also help if the secretariat
has an oversight role and macro-view of issues.

The size of the Secretariat naturally depends on budgetary and other institutional constraints. In a given
setting, several staff may contribute part of their time to the NSDB, according to need and competency. The
members of the Secretariat should demonstrate familiarity with as many as possible of the following areas of
expertise: governance and partnership building, public policy, finance, climate science, sustainable
development, and communications. The team supports the organization of a multi-stakeholder, multi-sector,
multi-level governance framework of the PIDF as well as the organization and tasks of the NSDB itself on
behalf of their national authorities.

The Secretariats coordinator shall demonstrate an ability to promote and implement sustainable development
concepts, policies and programs. He shall serve as the secretary ex-officio for the NSDB and will prepare and
distribute meeting minutes, document decisions, and manage the archive of NSDB proceedings.

FINANCE

The overall financing of the NSDB is a national responsibility.

PIDF SUPPORT

The PIDF Charter, Article 13(3) requires that the creation of the NSDB, or acceptance of this role by its
equivalent, will be supported by the Secretariat.

Facilitating the effective establishment and operation of the NSDBs would require several sets of interventions
which includes the following: 7
 Institutional and stakeholder mapping;
 country visit to conduct national stakeholder workshop to raise awareness and build capacity;
 multi-stakeholder dialogue to engage on practical collaborations.

The PIDF Deputy Secretary General and the Team Leader Member Capacity will oversee the establishment
of the NSDB with assistance from PIDF Team Leader Member Services.
COUNTRY VISITS

To facilitate the establishment of the NSDB a PIDF Team led by the PIDF Deputy Secretary General will visit
member countries with the following objectives:
 Conduct high level multi-stakeholder dialogue
 Conduct national stakeholder workshop
 Formally launch the NSDB

MULTI-STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE
During the visit the Team will seek dialogue with multiple stakeholders at all levels. In particular it will seek
audiences with the political and elected leaders of member countries, and the leaders of private sector and
civil society organisations. The success of the NSDB will be heavily influenced by the commitment at the
highest levels of all key sectors of member countries and their buy in to the NSDB process.
NATIONAL STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP
The objectives of the in country workshop to be conducted by the PIDF Team is as follows:
 Provide awareness to member country stakeholders on the NSDB;
 Conduct consultation on the proposed PIDF Strategic Plan;
 Discuss the proposed PIDF Climate Roadmap; and
 Conduct consultations on the proposed Pacific Climate Treaty.

Participants to be invited by the host country to the workshop should be up to 20 participants and to include
key multi-stakeholders to serve in the NSDB, other parties from both within and outside government that can
contribute to the dialogue on the PIDF Strategic Plan, the PIDF Climate Change Roadmap, and the Pacific
Climate Treaty.

NSDB LAUNCH
At the conclusion of the visit the PIDF Team will together with the Government of the member country launch
the NSDB for the country concerned through an exchange of letters to be undertaken in a ceremony to be
attended by the members of the NSDB. A Certificate of Establishment will also be presented. Attached as
ANNEX 1 and ANNEX 2 the draft letter of exchange and Certificate of Establishment
FURTHER INFORMATION
Pacific Islands Development Forum Secretariat
For further information please contact either Mr. Penijamini R. T. 56 Domain Road, Nasese, P.O Box 2050,
Lomaloma, Ms Arpana Pratap or Ms Anaias Rouveyrol at: Government Buildings,
Suva, Republic of Fiji.
Ph: (679) 331 1518
Email: secretariat@pacificidf.org
plomaloma@pacificidf.org
apratap@pacificidf.org
www.pacificidf.org
arouveyrol@pacificidf.org
Follow us on Twitter: @PIDF01
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Annex 1
DRAFT LETTER OF AGREEMENT ON THE NSDB

Excellency,
I have the honor to refer to the Charter of the Pacific Islands Development Forum, Chapter Five, Articles 9 and 13 providing for the establishment
of the National Sustainable Development Boards (NSDB) in all PIDF member countries.

I have the additional honor to propose that the *NAME OF COUNTRY+ *INSERT NAME OF ENTITY IN THE COUNTRY TO PERFORM ROLE OF NSDB+
assume the role of the NSDB for the *NAME OF COUNTRY+ and that its membership to include representatives of the private sector and civil soci-
ety in the *NAME OF COUNTRY+ as well and that its Terms of Reference be amended to include the following.

1. serve as the national/local focal point and repository of information on all PIDF matters at the national/local level;
2. promote the establishment of multi-stakeholder and inclusive processes at the national/local level;
3. coordinate the implementation of the decisions of the PIDF at national/local level;
4. advocate and lead the vision and purposes of the PIDF at the national/local level;
5. report to the Members Representative Council.

I have the honor to propose that, if the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter together with your confirmation to that effect shall
together constitute an Agreement between the Pacific Islands Development Forum and the *NAME OF COUNTRY+ on the designation of the
*INSERT NAME OF ENTITY IN COUNTRY TO PERFORM ROLE OF NSDB+ as the NSDB for the *NAME OF COUNTRY+.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration,

*signed+
François Martel
SECRETARY GENERAL

PROPOSED RESPONSE

Mr François Martel
Secretary General
Pacific Islands Development Forum
Suva,
FIJI

Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of _____________, which reads as follows:

“Excellency,
I have the honor to refer to the Charter of the Pacific Islands Development Forum, Chapter Five, Articles 9 and 13 providing for the establish-
ment of the National Sustainable Development Boards (NSDB) in all PIDF member countries.

I have the additional honor to propose that the *NAME OF COUNTRY+ *INSERT NAME OF ENTITY IN THE COUNTRY TO PERFORM ROLE OF
NSDB+ assume the role of the NSDB for the *NAME OF COUNTRY+ and that its membership to include representatives of the private sector
and civil society in the *NAME OF COUNTRY+ as well and that its Terms of Reference be amended to include the following.

1. serve as the national/local focal point and repository of information on all PIDF matters at the national/local level;
2. promote the establishment of multi-stakeholder and inclusive processes at the national/local level;
3. coordinate the implementation of the decisions of the PIDF at national/local level;
4. advocate and lead the vision and purposes of the PIDF at the national/local level;
5. report to the Members Representative Council.

I have the honor to propose that, if the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter together with your confirmation to that effect
shall together constitute an Agreement between the Pacific Islands Development Forum and the *NAME OF COUNTRY+ on the designation of
the *INSERT NAME OF ENTITY IN COUNTRY TO PERFORM ROLE OF NSDB+ as the NSDB for the *NAME OF COUNTRY+.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration,”

In reply, I am able to confirm that the foregoing proposal is acceptable to the Government of *NAME OF COUNTRY+ who will regard your letter,
together with this reply as constituting an agreement between the Pacific Islands Development Forum and the Government of *NAME OF COUN-
TRY+ on the designation of the *INSERT NAME OF ENTITY IN COUNTRY TO PERFORM ROLE OF NSDB+ as the NSDB for the *NAME OF COUNTRY+.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration,

*signed+
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Annex 2
CERTIFICATE OF ESTABLISHMENT

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